Paradox Interactive, an intrepid explorer of new gaming territories, announced today that Salem: The Crafting MMO, the forthcoming free-to-play community-driven MMORPG from developer Seatribe, has begun Open Beta testing. The game, which challenges players to survive and settle in the new world of colonial North America, is now open for would-be pilgrims everywhere.

In Salem, players can step into the well-worn boots of brave pilgrims, arriving in a fledgling settlement and attempting to carve out their new homes in the untamed wilderness. To survive, pilgrims will need to learn from the land to boost their skills, scavenge for food, and harvest natural resources in a wide-open sandbox environment to craft tools and homes, and even establish their own in-game settlements. Danger lurks around every corner, however, and between wild animals, unseen perils, and their fellow players, surviving Salem is no lean feat: there are few restrictions on Player-versus-Player (PvP) attacks, no law except what the community makes, and in Salem, death is permanent.

By designing Salem with less of a traditional MMO structure, and instead presenting players with a persistent community sandbox with high-stakes consequences for conflict, Paradox and Seatribe are allowing the Salem community to shape their own experiences. The in-game society that has sprung up during closed beta – including a bustling barter-based economy, vigilantes and mob justice, and rival settlements, have all happened as a result of players’ choices and actions. With the new addition of more players during open beta, it will be fascinating to discover what the community ultimately makes of the world of Salem.

I forgot about this game. I think it sounds really interesting how players can enforce their town's laws, even putting bounties on the heads of a player who has murdered other players. Kinda reminds me of an old game called Dark Ages where players could fill the roles of politicians and town guards.

I forgot about this game. I think it sounds really interesting how players can enforce their town's laws, even putting bounties on the heads of a player who has murdered other players. Kinda reminds me of an old game called Dark Ages where players could fill the roles of politicians and town guards.

It's a remake of Actraiser's overworld city-building for the SNES, right? And being published for the SNES? That's like a limited market, I mean, how many people still have a functioning Super NES?

Like, MetalJesus, and Emabulator and maybe two other people... :P

__________________Choose your government: the majority ruling the minority, the minority ruling the majority, or everyone ruling themselves long as they do not initiate force, fraud, or theft against one another.